10 Rolls
45 Hours
I was inspired by spring colors and wanted to create something fun. I designed the dress on my iPad, then used newspaper to create a pattern. I layered duct tape to build the top and used a skirt i already had to create the shape for the bottom. I created three different sizes of flowers to create texture and dimension.
37 Rolls
28 Hours
Swans are often regarded as symbols of romance, strength, and elegance and are seen as majestic creatures. My main inspiration for the dress was swans, and I wanted to showcase those characteristics throughout the dress. I created the shape of the dress inspired by princess gowns and wedding dresses, since both are elegant clothing that represent class and romance, while the fancy details gave it more of a fantasy look. The top of the bodice I made using duct tape feathers to represent swan feathers, and I added a shield to represent self-strength. For the bottom part of the bodice and belt, I went with a more armored look to not only show power but also because love and romance are something that takes a lot of courage and determination. The common saying, "Unless you want to heart broken, you should protect your heart," also inspired the shield. My accessories are the scarf and the fan, because fans are the stereotypical regal accessory, and the scarf makes the outfit look more regal.
10 Rolls
10 Hours
During a visit to a Renaissance Fair, I saw a girl in a beautifully whimsical mushroom dress that inspired me to make my own. During the creation of this dress, everything that could go wrong went wrong. First, the skirt fell apart. Then I worked for an hour on the first pair of sleeves, which turned out looking bad. Next, the skirt ended up being too small. Duct tape was everywhere! I constantly ran out of supplies. My poor parents kept having to go to the store for me, and I wasn't very sneaky stealing tape from my sister. In the end, I'm happy with how my dress turned out. I used plastic wrap to mummify myself and get my body measurements. I, then, used tape for the basic shape of the top and skirt before using another layer or two to make the outside layer as smooth as possible. I played around with different laying patterns to give the dress more dimension when looked at closer up. I added the circles, and finally, I made large sheets of duct tape and folded them into ruffles and added them to the bottom of the skirt.
6 Rolls
20 Hours
The inspiration for my dress was a mermaid tail prom dress. When I was shopping fpr tape, the colors popped out to me and it give me the southern preppy dress vibe.
8 Rolls
60 Hours
The true inspiration for this piece is my senior year and the feelings that arose each time I made a piece of art. In near every piece I’ve made this past school year I created imitations of nature. This dress, “Artificial Bloom,” is no different. A senior graduating is as beautiful as buds flowering in spring. However, all that has shaped and molded the senior is artificial. The flower of a senior is a culmination of human-made experiences. While graduating feels inauthentic it remains beautiful.
18 Rolls
46 Hours
When I was younger, my mom used to ask me, “Would you rather be a fish or a human?” Without hesitation, I always said I’d be a fish. I’ve loved the ocean for as long as I can remember. The freedom of swimming through open water, surrounded by vibrant, colorful creatures, feels magical. The sea represents creativity, movement, and life without limits, qualities I try to bring into everything I do, including this duct tape creation. Just like the ocean, duct tape has endless potential when used with imagination. Being a “fish” in this world means embracing bold ideas and flowing with creativity, and that’s exactly what inspired my design.
20 Rolls
82 Hours
My dress was inspired by the Greek story of Icarus, mainly focusing on his wings melting in the sun!
40 Rolls
80 Hours
My own Mexican American heritage and my childhood wonder that saw the colors and got inspiration from piñatas that I use to break. I find that piñatas are under appreciated.
5 Rolls
3 Hours
My inspiration was the dresses I saw other girls wear to prom. I did not wear a dress to prom, but the girls at prom wore the most gorgeous dresses, and mine was inspired by theirs!
6 Rolls
13 Hours
My inspiration came from a character from one of my favorite games, Hollow Knight. The character's name is Grimm. He is a vampire moth who is a troop leader of the Grimm Troup. I designed my bodice to appear insect like. While picking my colors I originally wanted to use dark blue and black, however, red and black were a better contrast. My goal was to designed a dress worthy of a starring role.
14 Rolls
94 Hours
A dress piece I call "A Night on Mt. Olympus," I chose to create a royal dress highlighting gods and goddesses worshiped in ancient times of both Roman and Greek culture. Latin is my favorite study, most specifically on each god and goddess with their power they possess. The bottom of the skirt features 4 constellations. A lightning bolt for Zeus, an owl for Athena, a shell for Aphrodite, and a trident for Poseidon. I designed the gold details and carefully cut each one, then placed them by rolling duct tape to couple them on both sides.
7 Rolls
70 Hours
My dress is inspired by the night sky. Originally, it was designed to be a "midnight blossom,” with the skirt flowing outwards into silver/gray flower petals. While I ran out of time to complete the petal base, I believe the design still captures the feeling of stars blooming into the night sky, as emphasized by the sparkle design surrounding the crescent moon. The stars, moon, and gradient were painstakingly placed by hand using layer after layer for hours on end, but I found the process fun.
16 Rolls
34 Hours
My duct tape creation was inspired by my African heritage and my future in aviation. Instead of a traditional tuxedo, I designed an abada, an outfit often worn at African gatherings. Growing up, I attended many Nigerian parties filled with music, color, and culture. I always admired how everyone dressed boldly, and I wanted to bring that same energy into my design. To reflect my future, I added a plane and stars to represent my dream of becoming a pilot. I’ll be learning to fly next year in college, and this outfit symbolizes both where I come from and where I’m going. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue turning those dreams into reality. Thank you!
9 Rolls
52 Hours
My outfit was inspired by the deep connection between art and astronomy, especially the moon and stars. I wanted to capture the feeling of comfort and curiosity I felt as a child looking up at the night sky as well as the emotion of acceptance through art to interpret the answers that the moon provided. This dress was meant to reflect the beauty and mystery of the universe. I built this dress piece by piece using inspiration from Regency and late 19th-century silhouettes. Each star and moon was placed with love and care to mirror the chaos and breathtaking quality of the night sky.
6 Rolls
30 Hours
Part of my inspiration for this dress was dresses from the 50's-60's era! With the halter like top to make this dress look a bit summery. I also got inspiration from me on how much I love polka dots!
31 Rolls
176 Hours
I had always liked pink—until they told me I was supposed to. In elementary school, I decided I hated pink and that green was my new favorite color. Growing up with only brothers, I felt like the odd one out. I rejected princesses, pink, and the idea that I was meant to be the one rescued. I wanted to be different, a feminist, someone who didn’t need sparkles to feel strong. What I didn’t realize was that by pushing away anything “girly,” I was buying into the idea that femininity was weak. It wasn’t “cool” to be a girl. After years of self-discovery, I’ve embraced the part of me that really does love pink—and even wants to be a princess. My dress reflects that transformation. It’s inspired by the very princesses I once dismissed, complete with a crown, intricate jewelry, and a flowy skirt made of countless layers of ruffles. I loved designing it and letting myself geek out over fashion, because femininity is powerful, too. But the dress wouldn’t be complete without what truly defines me: my faith. Jesus is at the center of who I am and what I build my life on, so I made Him the foundation of my design. I incorporated Psalm 23 into the dress by cutting out all 122 words of the passage in Duck Tape using a crafting machine and hand-placing them across the front layers. I even included the verse reference on the ribbon of the bow. This dress is more than just pink and pretty—it represents my journey of reclaiming femininity and rooting my identity in faith. It’s a reflection of who I truly am, inside and out.
3 Rolls
128 Hours
I’ve always been fascinated by feathers and wild outfits that capture people’s attention. This project allowed me to express myself truly. My grandmother, a fashion designer, inspired me to even apply for this scholarship. While I may not be as skilled as her, I genuinely hope that this endeavor makes her proud.
27 Rolls
55 Hours
Considering that duck tape is likely to create a more structural textile, I chose to take inspiration from the Georgian era for various reasons. The extravagant, layered, and textured gowns were perfect to execute with the stiff, structured material. I was also swayed by the popular parasol used in the era, providing shade from the hot summer sun, which is perfect for the summer season (especially here in Kentucky). Finally, the last reason for why I chose to take inspiration from the Georgian period is because of the modest value seen in the dresses. As a muslim, it’s a strong core value to dress modestly, and the Georgian period does a nice job at balancing extravagance and modesty.
